A stylish new two-storey maths block has been built at Hastings High School in Burbage as part of a three-year masterplan to redevelop the 60-year-old site.

Dating from 1956, the campus has been brought bang up to date with the £750,000 Government-funded new-build, a £30,000 new kitchen and a new computer room all constructed and installed during this year’s summer holiday.

In addition, new science suites, using recycled fittings from former Mount Grace High School in Hinckley and Heathfield Academy in Earl Shilton, have been set up, with a new drama studio inserted between original school buildings, as part of the ongoing development in recent years.

Sports facilities are to be the next to benefit from a revamp.

The changes have been made to accommodate a growing school population which, with the addition of Year 7 pupils, has increased from 550 to more than 800.

Figures given to support the most recent construction project show the school roll having ballooned by 62% between the 2013/14 school year and the current term.

Headteacher Nick Goforth said: “From the pupils’ point of view, we are just the right size.

“Big enough to have fantastic facilities and small enough that we still know everybody.”

The brick and timber-clad new-build is air-conditioned and fitted with energy-efficient lighting, making it both comfortable and environment-friendly.

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Staff say pupils as well as teachers are responding positively to the space, which feels a bit less like a school and a bit more like a contemporary workplace.

In announcing the Government funding that paid for the project, former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “Every child should be taught in surroundings which allow them to fulfil their potential.

“We have made significant investments in school buildings to ensure this happens and this funding will help us to build on our progress, so that even more pupils and teachers have access to safe, high-quality classrooms.”

Hastings High School has benefited from around £2 million worth of work in the past three years.

Headteacher Nick Goforth said: “What’s amazing is that over the summer we had two new labs, a computer room, PE room, all sorts of things, all ready for day one, save a little bit of paint and turf.

“Everything on budget and on time.

“We have been one of the most successful schools in terms of funding in the county and we’re looking at how we can develop the school further.”